Texas and Virginia Consider Legalizing Marijuana. Following the 2016 presidential election, more than half of the United States allows marijuana to be used for at least medical reasons. This progress has encouraged marijuana proponents to push for marijuana reforms in other states. Some states like Virginia, Tennessee, Texas and Ohio have expressed a change of attitude and they are now considering making changes to their cannabis laws.
On November 5, Texas lawmakers made several official requests to legalize cannabis in the Lone Star state, according to reports. In January, State officials will be discussing a reduction of charges for cannabis possession when they meet in Austin. The legislators are considering replacing these laws with a civil infringement that will spare you the criminal record and jail time, only resulting in a $250 fine instead.
The state passed the Compassionate Use Act in June 2015, allowing the use of medical marijuana for patients of intractable epilepsy and other chronic diseases. However, you can still face charges for possessing or distributing even the smallest amounts of pot if you lack proper identification.
As it stands, one can face a misdemeanor charge and a jail time of up to 180 days if he or she is caught with less than two ounces of marijuana in Texas. An individual can receive at least an year in jail if found in possession of between two and four ounces of marijuana, while those with more than four ounces face jail sentences between two and 99 years and felony charges.
Toledo began actualizing laws that legalize marijuana a year ago, and many expect Columbus to be next in line. Although yet to take effect, the state inducted a medical marijuana program back in May.
Elsewhere, two cities in Tennessee have reduced the penalties on marijuana cases. If one is caught with small amounts of cannabis in Memphis, he or she performs community service or pays a $50 fine instead of facing jail time or charges. One month prior to this, Nashville legislators made similar amendments to cannabis laws.
When the 2017 legislative season begins, Tennessee is likely to legalize cannabis in some capacity. The legislators in Tennessee are aiming at combating the state’s opioid epidemic by working on a bill to legalize medical marijuana; this is according to State Rep. Marc Gravitt who was talking to WDEF-Local 12 news.
In Virginia, Gov. Terry McAuliffe has expressed his commitment to ensuring that patients can acquire medical marijuana in 2017. In November, Tommy Norment- the State Senate Majority Leader stated that by 2018, he hopes to propose a decriminalization bill. These are great signs for Virginia and the state could be next in decriminalizing and/or legalizing pot by next year.